PM Imran reconstitutes ECC, tasks Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh with running its affairs

Published April 26, 2019
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the adviser to the prime minister on finance, revenue and economic affairs, was appointed as chairman of the ECC. — File
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the adviser to the prime minister on finance, revenue and economic affairs, was appointed as chairman of the ECC. — File

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reconstituted the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet with Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, his adviser on finance, revenue and economic affairs, appointed as the committee's chairman, it emerged on Friday.

A series of notifications were issued in this regard by the Cabinet Secretariat a day earlier, detailing the new composition of the committee's members, which will number 14 in total.

These include the ministers for communications; law and justice; maritime affairs; national food security and research; petroleum; power; planning, development and reform; privatisation; railways; poverty alleviation and social safety; and water resources. It will also include adviser to the prime minister on commerce, textile, industry, and production and investment; and adviser to the prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity.

It may be noted that the minister for poverty alleviation and social safety has not yet been appointed.

According to the notifications, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), as well as the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) have also been reconstituted, with Dr Shaikh also leading these.

The CCoE shall consist of seven members, whereas the CCoP will have eight.

Cabinet reshuffle

A major cabinet reshuffle took place earlier this month which saw the stepping down of Asad Umar as minister for finance. Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh was then appointed the adviser on finance, tasked with assuming Umar's prior responsibilities.

Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh is an internationally renowned economist with more than 30 years of experience in economic policymaking, management and implementation.

He served as the finance minister from 2010 to 2013 during the PPP government's rule.

During his tenure as federal minister, Dr Shaikh completed 34 sale transactions worth Rs300 billion in banking, telecom, electricity, and manufacturing.

Opinion

Seizing the moment

Seizing the moment

The provinces bear the primary responsibility for improving access to family planning services, particularly for poorer families.

Editorial

PIA privatisation
Updated 11 Jul, 2025

PIA privatisation

While it does give the privatisation authorities a much-needed head-start, it will not be sustainable unless preceded by policy and regulatory reforms.
Beyond expectations
11 Jul, 2025

Beyond expectations

THESE are tough times, but the country is lucky enough to still be considered home by a large expatriate workforce,...
Train in vain
11 Jul, 2025

Train in vain

TALK of ‘revival’ of the long-dead Karachi Circular Railway has turned into a running joke for denizens of this...
No negotiations
10 Jul, 2025

No negotiations

IT seems like the appeal from Kot Lakhpat Jail has fallen on deaf ears. “[…] The time for negotiations has...
Speech policing
Updated 10 Jul, 2025

Speech policing

Sweeping accusations have once more exposed just how broadly and arbitrarily Peca is being applied.
Continued detention
10 Jul, 2025

Continued detention

THE continued detention of BYC head Mahrang Baloch and five other activists indicates that the state is uninterested...